An increasing level of drunkenness and drug-taking is being blamed in part for a rise in assaults in Cork city and county.

A Joint Policing Committee (JPC) is demanding answers as to why, more than two years after a Government announcement, no progress has been made to replace a garda station which has been described as one of the worst in the country.

Senior gardaí have warned students against scam artists operating in Cork City and its suburbs ahead of the new college year and have also told farmers about a craze in quad bike thefts.

Nearly 30% more suspected drink-drivers have been arrested in Cork city and county in the past three months compared to the same period last year.